Aloes in Wonderland lives up to its name

Aloes in Wonderland in Santa Barbara is a great place to visit at any time of the year, but it really lives up to its name when the aloes are in bloom in the winter. There are public gardens that have fantastic aloe flower displays, including the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek and the Huntington in San Marino, but Aloes in Wonderland is unique: It’s plantsman Jeff Chemnick’s home and private botanical garden featuring cycads, exotic trees, cacti, and, of course, aloes. It’s also a nursery, but unlike any other I’ve ever seen or heard of: Every plant in Jeff’s garden is for sale. You make an appointment, walk around the 4 acre property with Jeff, pick out the plant you want, get out your shovel, dig it up, and take it home. Or have Jeff’s team or your own landscaper do the hard work. With the exception of cycad seedlings, Jeff doesn’t sell pre-potted plants. Everything is in the ground, and many plants are specimen size. Aloes in Wonderland is the place to go if you want a 15 f...